"The mark of Light is on my heart, it's inside my body, it's what saved my life from Artoria's fatal blow."
Artoria's gaze caught my own for a brief moment; she looked almost impressed by my lie.
"Interesting. I didn't expect that, while I haven't heard of such a thing before, I don't shun the possibility, but that doesn't explain your power. You nearly annihilated my city if Artoria wasn't there; my paradise would be a pile of ashes."
"I'm special."
I was trying my best to come up with believable lies, but my ideas were running thin. I didn't know how to explain my power without spilling all the details about Seraphina. That was obviously something I couldn't do. I doubt she would even believe me in the first place.
"Special?"
From Seraphina's disappointment with angels, I didn't think that a single angel would have ever met with her in person. Saying I met with their God and was granted a portion of its power would just be treated as blasphemy.
"You're obviously lying. It's quite cute how you try to lie to me. But it's of no great importance, I'll tolerate your lies after all time tells no lies. All will be revealed in the passing of time. I look forward to unwrapping the mystery named Evernight."
A banging sound interrupted Ickni's joy, her expression sinking into annoyance. Soon after, another servant appeared at the end of the hall, a dire expression plastered on his face. He was panting, his legs shaking, looking ready to die any moment.
"Well?! What is it!? I have an important guest, you know? Don't just interrupt me, then stand there panting!"
"Custodian, the Moon's second in command, is here requesting an imminent audience. He says it's of the utmost importance, but wouldn't tell us what exactly his business is."
"Huh?! If it were of utmost importance, Selvar would have come instead of some small fry."
"But, Custodian. The Dominion of the Moon is on the frontlines fighting against the Devils. He can't come to meet you in person. The frontlines are months away from here."
"I know where the frontlines are, you insolent pest! Fine, whatever, escort him in in five minutes. What is this second's name?"
"The Pale Crescent, Lucius von Snow."
"Von, eh? Okay, begone."
The servant bowed his head and silently closed the grand doors, ensuring not a sliver of a sound escaped into the throne room.
"Perhaps this unwanted meeting will be interesting. I haven't seen someone bearing the title of Von in a couple of centuries. How amusing, this day just keeps getting better."
Artoria stood up, not saying a word, pulling me along with her, knowing that our conversation with Ickni was over; staying past our welcome would only invite her ire. Artoria knew that better than anyone.
"Oh, Evernight. It's quite ironic, isn't it? You just spoke out against my ways of ruling, but you are doing my bidding, charging straight into the rebellion of this city, preparing to slaughter hundreds in order to secure my rule. Hehe, I love the irony."
"I won't kill for you, I won't."
"They all say that, and guess what, they still end up doing it anyway. Will you sink into despair once someone's blood is on your hands, or will you become something else?"
I didn't respond to Ickni's taunts, walking out the door just before Artoria closed the door. I heard a string of words that made my blood run cold.
"01812, Explode."
A small, rupturing sound pierced through the silent halls of the palace, the smell of metal polluting the surrounding area. The many servants lining the halls of the palace didn't move a muscle in response to their dead friend, only gazing outwards, detached and emotionless, completely devoid of any light. One of the servants draped a cloth around the body and walls, covering Ickni's vile act, his face telling the story that this was a regular occurrence.
"Screams would only invite more death; they know that well. Death is something everyone is acquainted with; you'll have to learn to dismiss it, or else you won't survive," stated Artoria forcefully, pulling me away from the smell.
"I can't— do that…"